CHARGERS: Finally healthy, English looks forward to season

SAN DIEGO ---- Chargers linebacker Larry English was supposed to be the heir apparent to Shawne Merriman.

But injuries have made it difficult for English to make much of an impact since being selected in the first round of the 2009 draft.

The problem with English is not his sack dance. It's that he hasn't had a chance to use it. Foot injuries have hindered his routine, with one unsuccessful procedure after another. After appearing in 16 games as a rookie, he played in just eight in 2010 and five last season.

English has lived in a blissful routine this preseason. It has been practice, practice, game, practice. There's no break for exhaustion or injury, a true blessing considering the injuries he has had.

"I can't tell you how much I love this preseason, day in and day out," English said. "For the first time in a long time, I don't worry about my foot. I don't even think about it. I just go out there and go play. I know what I can do and what I'm capable of. I know what I can do. That's all that matters right now."

Injury reports used to be the top priority. Foot surgeries sapped English's playing power over the last few years, but that has become a thing of the recent past. Hamstring trouble hampered him early in training camp, but now his presence has become positively mundane.

Yes, English showed up to practice. Who cares?

The Chargers do. They want him to be part of a solid rotation at outside linebacker, one of five who can get after the quarterback.

In recent weeks, English certainly has. He has two sacks and seven tackles during the preseason.

"That's a credit to getting healthy," English said. "I feel like I have my explosiveness back. Speed was my thing, and I'm able to get to the quarterback pretty fast. But I still see things when I look at the tape that I can sharpen up. I'm confident, but I know I can get better."

Mental confidence is one thing. Confidence in your body is something different. That was a learned trait for English. He can rely on his foot and spring off it. Speed was English's finest attribute, what got him to the quarterback the fastest.

"Repetition is the key to overall confidence," English said. "If you can do things physically, then you can have fun just playing football. That's something I've missed and something I truly enjoy. I'm excited about what this year and this season has in store."

English has the explosiveness deserving of praise, quickness that is an asset in the Chargers' constant quest for the quarterback. With speed, he doesn't need moves.

"He's had that, and the last time he played a regular season game he had two sacks," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "It's just been a long time since he's been truly healthy. I think we can take some pressure off him and use him in a rotation that will keep him from playing an unusual number of snaps."

The expectations are low, but they won't go away. English needs to get to the quarterback on a regular basis. The weight is clearly off his shoulders, leaving him poised for the first legitimate season of his career.

After three seasons, English is finally ready to show what he can do.

"I'm definitely having fun, and I'm excited for what this season has in store," English said. "I want to produce. I can produce big numbers. I'm excited that I'm healthy enough to be given a chance."

The last regular-season game English played in came against the Miami Dolphins in September 2011, when he had two sacks. That was almost a year ago, but English doesn't want to use it as a benchmark. He believes he's way better now.

"I was able to make some plays that game, but I was still coming off an injury," English said. "I feel like I'm in a much better place even than I was then. I'm ready to use the clean slate I've been given, and become the player everyone expects me to be."